Chair-type massage machine

Abstract

Provided is a chair-type massage machine (1) that operates two massaging mechanisms and makes it possible to receive different massaging operations simultaneously at different massage parts so as to make it possible to further improve a massage experience and obtain an enhanced relaxation effect.　The present invention is a chair-type massage machine comprising: a seat portion (2); a seat back portion (3); a back portion massaging mechanism (5) including a pair of right and left back portion arm members (10) which are provided with first massaging elements (17) at the tip ends; and a seat portion massaging mechanism (4) including a pair of right and left seat portion arm members (27) which are provided with second massaging elements (35, 36) at the tip end, wherein the back portion massaging mechanism makes a first oscillating motion in which the first massaging elements provided to the pair of right and left back portion arm members approach and move away from each other in the left-right direction, and the seat portion massaging mechanism makes a second oscillating motion in which the second massaging elements provided to the pair of right and left seat portion arm members tilt in such a manner as to oscillate in the right and left directions together.

Description

chair massage machine

[0001] The present invention relates to a chair-type massage machine that applies different massage actions to two treatment areas.

[0002] Conventionally, chair-type massage machines equipped with a seat massage mechanism that applies massage action to treatment areas such as the buttocks and thighs of a user seated on the seat, and a back massage mechanism that applies massage action to treatment areas such as the back of a user leaning against the backrest, have been known, such as those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 7121998 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-208951

[0004] The chair-type massage machines of Patent Documents 1 and 2 have a seat massage mechanism that can move back and forth inside the seat, providing massage action to the buttocks, thighs, etc. of a user seated on the seat, and a back massage mechanism that can move up and down inside the backrest, providing massage action to the back of a user leaning on the backrest, from the shoulders to the waist.

[0005] However, in recent years, there has been an increasing demand from users for a more relaxing effect, with many requests being made for different massage actions to be performed on different treatment areas simultaneously, such as a back massage mechanism that performs a kneading massage on the back from the shoulders to the waist, while a seat massage mechanism that performs a kneading massage on the buttocks and thighs while stroking the treatment areas.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a chair-type massage machine that can further improve the massage experience and provide a more relaxing effect by operating two massage mechanisms and allowing different massage operations to be performed simultaneously on different treatment areas.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical means.

[0008] A chair-type massage machine according to one aspect of the present invention has a seat, a backrest, a back massage mechanism having a pair of left and right back arm members with first treatment applicators at their tips and which applies a massage action to the user's back, and a seat massage mechanism having a pair of left and right seat arm members with second treatment applicators at their tips and which applies a massage action to the user's buttocks or thighs, characterized in that the back massage mechanism performs a first swinging motion in which the first treatment applicators provided on the pair of left and right back arm members move towards and away from each other in the left-right direction, and the seat massage mechanism performs a second swinging motion in which the second treatment applicators provided on the pair of left and right seat arm members tilt so that they swing in the same left and right direction.

[0009] The seat massage mechanism has a rotary shaft that transmits the rotational driving force from the drive motor, a disc-shaped rotary boss attached to the rotary shaft, an endless and inclined cam surface formed on the periphery of the rotary boss, and an annular fitting provided at the base end of the seat arm member and externally fitted so as to slide freely onto the cam surface, and the rotary boss is provided in a pair on the left and right at a predetermined interval along the rotary shaft, and the cam surfaces of the pair of rotary bosses provided on the left and right are preferably inclined in the same direction.

[0010] When the rotating boss portion, whose inclination direction of the inclined cam surface is the same, rotates, a second rocking motion is generated in which the second treatment element tilts so as to rock left and right in the same direction.

[0011] The swing distance of the first treatment applicator of the back massage mechanism and the swing distance of the second treatment applicator of the seat massage mechanism may be the same or different.

[0012] The distance between the pair of first treatment applicators on the left and right of the back massage mechanism when they are closest to each other may be the same as or different from the distance between the pair of second treatment applicators on the left and right of the seat massage mechanism.

[0013] The distance between the pair of first treatment applicators on the left and right of the back massage mechanism when they are farthest apart may be the same as or different from the distance between the pair of second treatment applicators on the left and right of the seat massage mechanism.

[0014] The swing speed of the first treatment applicator of the back massage mechanism and the swing speed of the second treatment applicator of the seat massage mechanism may be the same or different.

[0015] The back massage mechanism and / or the seat massage mechanism may be configured to be able to freely switch between a first rocking motion and a second rocking motion.

[0016] According to the chair-type massage machine of the present invention, by operating two massage mechanisms, different massage operations can be performed simultaneously on different treatment areas, thereby further improving the massage experience and providing a greater relaxation effect.

[0017] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic overview of the chair-type massage machine of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a back massage mechanism of this embodiment; Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a seat massage mechanism of this embodiment; Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a series of operations in the back massage mechanism and the seat massage mechanism, showing a schematic example of swinging motion of the seat arm member in the same left-right direction and swinging motion of the back arm member approaching and moving away; Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a series of operations in the back massage mechanism and the seat massage mechanism, showing a schematic example of swinging motion of the seat arm member in the same left-right direction and swinging motion of the back arm member approaching and moving away.

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a chair-type massage machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] The embodiment described below is an example of the present invention, and does not limit the configuration of the present invention to this specific example. For clarity, some components are omitted from the drawings. The directions of up / down, front / back, left / right, etc. of the chair-type massage machine 1 are as shown in FIG. 1. The directions of up / down, left / right, etc. of the back massage mechanism 5 are as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The directions of up / down, front / back, left / right, etc. of the seat massage mechanism 4 are as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. In the following description, the directions shown in the drawings are the directions used when describing the chair-type massage machine 1 of the present invention.

[0020] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic overview of a chair-type massage machine 1 of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a back massage mechanism 5 of this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a seat massage mechanism 4 of this embodiment.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment has a seat 2 that is large enough for a user to sit on, and a backrest 3 that is provided behind the seat 2 and against which the user can lean.

[0022] The seat 2 has legs 6 made up of a combination of square rod-shaped members, and is supported from below at a predetermined height by the legs 6. The entire seat 2 is covered with a casing, a sheet, etc. A cushion member is provided on the upper surface of the seat 2. Although not shown, armrests are provided on both the left and right sides of the seat 2.

[0023] In this embodiment, a seat massage mechanism 4 is provided inside the seat 2, which performs massage operations such as kneading, tapping, and grabbing on the user's lower limbs (second treatment area) from the buttocks to the thighs (backs of the thighs).

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the seat massage mechanism 4 of this embodiment includes a second rotating shaft 26 that transmits the rotational driving force from the drive motor 30, a cylindrical second rotating boss portion 37 attached to the second rotating shaft 26, an endless and inclined cam surface 38 formed on the periphery of the second rotating boss portion 37, and a second annular fitting portion 39 that is provided at the base end of the seat arm member 27 and externally fitted to the inclined cam surface 38 so as to be freely slidable.

[0025] A pair of second rotary bosses 37 are provided on the left and right sides at a predetermined interval along the second rotary shaft 26. The inclined cam surfaces 38R, 38L of the pair of left and right second rotary bosses 37R, 37L are inclined in the same direction. In other words, if the right seat arm member 27R tilts to the right, the left seat arm member 27L also tilts to the right. Similarly, if the right seat arm member 27R tilts to the left, the left seat arm member 27L also tilts to the left. The device configuration of the seat massage mechanism 4 will be described in detail later.

[0026] The backrest 3 is a member provided at the rear of the seat 2, and is formed in a flat plate shape with enough thickness to allow the user to lean back. The backrest 3 has a support frame 7 made up of a combination of square rod-shaped members. The support frame 7 is supported at the rear of the seat 2 so that it can swing freely in the front-to-rear direction.

[0027] The entire backrest 3 is covered with a casing, a sheet, etc. A cushion member is provided on the front surface of the backrest 3. The backrest 3 can be reclined relative to the seat 2 by a position change mechanism (not shown) disposed within the seat 2.

[0028] In this embodiment, a back massage mechanism 5 is provided inside the backrest 3, which performs massage operations such as kneading, tapping, and grabbing on the back (first treatment area) of the user leaning against the backrest 3, from the shoulders through the back to the lumbar region.

[0029] The front side of the backrest 3 is open forward, and a back arm member 10 constituting the back massage mechanism 5 is provided so as to protrude forward from the open front side.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the back massage mechanism 5 of this embodiment has a first rotating shaft 9 that transmits the rotational driving force from the drive motor 13, a disk-shaped first rotating boss portion 18 attached to the first rotating shaft 9, an endless and inclined cam surface 19 formed on the periphery of the first rotating boss portion 18, and a first annular fitting portion 20 that is provided at the base end of the back arm member 10 and fits freely onto the inclined cam surface 19.

[0031] A pair of first rotary bosses 18 are provided on the left and right sides at a predetermined distance along the first rotary shaft 9. The inclined cam surfaces 19R, 19L of the left and right first rotary bosses 18R, 18L are inclined in opposite directions relative to each other. In other words, if the right back arm member 10R tilts to the right, the left back arm member 27L tilts to the left. The device configuration of the back massage mechanism 5 will be described in detail later.

[0032] The chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment has a function of simultaneously and appropriately interlocking the seat massage mechanism 4 and the back massage mechanism 5 when providing a massage action to the user. In this embodiment, the seat massage mechanism 4 and the back massage mechanism 5 work together to allow the user to receive a more effective massage.

[0033] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a series of operations in the back massage mechanism 5 and the seat massage mechanism 4, and are schematic diagrams showing an example of the swinging movement of the back arm member 10 approaching and moving away from each other and the swinging movement of the seat arm member 27 in the same direction on the left and right.

[0034] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the back massage mechanism 5 of this embodiment is configured to perform a "first rocking motion" in which the first treatment elements 17R, 17L provided at the tips of a pair of left and right back arm members 10R, 10L move towards and away from each other in the left-right direction, tracing a loop-shaped trajectory.

[0035] In addition, the seat massage mechanism 4 is configured to perform a "second rocking motion" in which the second treatment applicators 35, 36 (in this embodiment, the left and right second front treatment applicators 35R, 35L and the left and right second rear treatment applicators 36R, 36L) provided at the tips of the pair of left and right seat arm members 27R, 27L tilt so as to rock (swing) in the same direction on the left and right.

[0036] In other words, the inclined cam surfaces 38 formed on the left and right second rotating boss portions 37R, 37L have the same inclination direction, and when the left and right second rotating boss portions 37R, 37L rotate, a second rocking motion is generated in which the second treatment elements 35, 36 tilt so that they rock in the same direction on the left and right.

[0037] That is, the chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment has a function of linking the "first rocking motion" of the back massage mechanism 5 and the "second rocking motion" of the seat massage mechanism 4.

[0038] In detail, by making the pair of left and right back arm members 10R, 10L perform a "first rocking motion" to move the left and right first treatment members 17R, 17L closer to and farther apart, a kneading massage is given to the back, and by making the pair of left and right seat arm members 27R, 27L perform a "second rocking motion" to rock the left and right second front treatment members 35R, 35L and second rear treatment members 36R, 36L in the same direction on the left and right, a kneading massage can be given to the thighs (backs of the thighs) to the lower back, etc.

[0039] More specifically, in the back massage mechanism 5, the pair of left and right back arm members 10R, 10L are caused to perform a first swinging motion, moving the left and right first treatment applicators 17R, 17L closer to and farther apart so that the user's back, from shoulders to back to waist, is massaged as if by a first therapist, for example; and simultaneously, in the seat massage mechanism 4, the pair of left and right seat arm members 27R, 27L are caused to perform a second swinging motion, moving the left and right second front treatment applicators 35R, 35L and second rear treatment applicators 36R, 36L in the same direction left and right so that the user's back, from shoulders to back to waist, is massaged as if by a second therapist, for example.

[0040] First, when the user sits on the seat 2 and leans against the backrest 3, for example, the right shoulder comes into contact with the first right treatment element 17R of the right back arm member 10R, and the left shoulder comes into contact with the first left treatment element 17L of the left back arm member 10L.

[0041] In addition, the right thighs and buttocks come into contact with the second right front treatment element 35R and the second left rear treatment element 36R of the right seat arm member 27R, and the left thighs and buttocks come into contact with the second left front treatment element 35L and the second left rear treatment element 36L of the left seat arm member 27L.

[0042] The user operates the operation panel provided on the chair-type massage machine 1 to perform the first and second rocking motions in conjunction with each other. The back massage mechanism 5 is driven to perform the first rocking motion, which moves the pair of left and right back arm members 10R, 10L toward and away from each other. At the same time, the seat massage mechanism 4 is driven to perform the second rocking motion, which moves the pair of left and right seat arm members 27R, 27L in the same direction.

[0043] In the back massage mechanism 5, the drive motor 13 of the first drive unit 8 is driven. The drive motor 13 outputs a rotational drive force, which is input to a gear case 14. The first rotary shaft 9 is rotated by the rotational drive force.

[0044] The first right conversion section 11R converts the rotational driving force of the first rotating shaft 9 into "front-back and left-right movement" and transmits it to the right back arm member 10R. The right back arm member 10R swings three-dimensionally up and down, front-back and left-right.

[0045] The first left conversion unit 11L converts the rotational driving force of the first rotating shaft 9 into "forward / backward / leftward / rightward movement" and transmits it to the left back arm member 10L. The left back arm member 10L swings three-dimensionally up / down, forward / backward, and left / right.

[0046] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, when the left and right back arm members 10R, 10L are swinging three-dimensionally up and down, front and back, and left and right, for example, the front end of the right back arm member 10R swings inward to the left and the front end of the left back arm member 10L swings inward to the right, causing the first right treatment member 17R and the first left treatment member 17L to approach each other.

[0047] Thereafter, the front end of the right back arm member 10R swings outward to the right, and the front end of the left back arm member 10L swings outward to the left, causing the first right treatment element 17R and the first left treatment element 17L to move away from each other.

[0048] In this way, the back massage mechanism 5 causes the left and right back arm members 10R, 10L to swing in a looping motion (front-back and left-right movement) in the left-right direction, and the first treatment applicators 17R, 17L arranged side by side alternately move toward and away from each other. The right first treatment applicator 17R moves toward and away from the user's right shoulder, and at the same time, the left first treatment applicator 17L moves toward and away from the user's left shoulder.

[0049] On the other hand, in the seat massaging mechanism 4, the drive motor 13 of the second drive unit 25 is driven. The drive motor 30 outputs a rotational drive force, which is input to the gear case 27. The second rotation shaft 26 is rotated by the rotational drive force.

[0050] The second right conversion section 28R converts the rotational driving force of the second rotating shaft 26 into "up / down and left / right movement" and transmits it to the right seat arm member 27R. The right seat arm member 27R swings three-dimensionally up / down, front / back, and left / right.

[0051] The second left converter 28L converts the rotational driving force of the second rotating shaft 26 into "up / down / left / right movement" and transmits it to the left seat arm member 27L. The left seat arm member 27L swings three-dimensionally up / down, front / back, and left / right.

[0052] 4A, the right seat arm member 27R swings the second right front treatment element 35R at its front end inward to the left, and the left seat arm member 27L similarly swings the second left front treatment element 36L at its front end outward to the left. That is, the second right front treatment element 35R and the second left front treatment element 36L swing in the same leftward direction.

[0053] At this time, the second right rear treatment device 36R at the rear end of the right seat arm member 27R swings outward to the right, and the second left rear treatment device 36L at the rear end of the left seat arm member 27L swings inward to the right. That is, the second right rear treatment device 36R and the second left rear treatment device 36L swing in the same rightward direction.

[0054] 4B, the right seat arm member 27R then swings the second right front treatment element 35R at its front end outward to the right, and the left seat arm member 27L similarly swings the second left front treatment element 35L at its front end inward to the right. That is, the second right front treatment element 35R and the second left front treatment element 36L swing in the same rightward direction.

[0055] At this time, the second right rear treatment device 36R at the rear end of the right seat arm member 27R swings inward to the left, and the second left rear treatment device 36L at the rear end of the left seat arm member 27L swings outward to the left. That is, the second right rear treatment device 36R and the second left rear treatment device 36L swing in the same leftward direction.

[0056] In this way, in the seat massage mechanism 4, in accordance with the approaching and separating rocking motion (first rocking motion) of the left and right back arm members 10R, 10L of the back massage mechanism 5, the second right front treatment device 35R and the second right rear treatment device 36R provided on the right seat arm member 27R and the second left front treatment device 35L and the second left rear treatment device 36L provided on the left seat arm member 27L rock in the same direction on the left and right (second rocking motion) to cooperate in performing a kneading massage that pushes up.

[0057] In other words, in the seat massage mechanism 4, a second rocking motion is performed on the pair of left and right seat arm members 27R, 27L, which rock in the same direction on the left and right, to perform a kneading massage on second treatment areas such as the buttocks and thighs (back of the thighs), with the left and right second front treatment members 35R, 35L pushing in first, and then the left and right second rear treatment members 36R, 36L pushing in, alternately repeating this process, and a first rocking motion is performed on the pair of left and right back arm members 10R, 10L, which moves towards and away from each other, to perform a kneading massage on the first treatment area, which is the back from the shoulders to the back to the waist, by linking these two together, thereby making it possible to provide an effective kneading massage to the back, thighs, buttocks, etc. simultaneously.

[0058] In this embodiment, the swing distance of the first treatment applicators 17R, 17L of the back massage mechanism 5 may be the same as or different from the swing distance of the second treatment applicators 35R, 35L of the seat massage mechanism 4. Also, the swing distance of the first treatment applicators 17R, 17L of the back massage mechanism 5 may be the same as or different from the swing distance of the second treatment applicators 36R, 36L of the seat massage mechanism 4.

[0059] The closest distance between the pair of left and right first treatment applicators 17R, 17L of the back massage mechanism 5 may be the same as or different from the distance between the pair of left and right second treatment applicators 35R, 35L of the seat massage mechanism 4. The closest distance between the pair of left and right first treatment applicators 17R, 17L may be the same as or different from the distance between the pair of left and right second treatment applicators 36R, 36L of the seat massage mechanism 4.

[0060] The distance between the pair of left and right first treatment applicators 17R, 17L of the back massage mechanism 5 when they are farthest apart may be the same as or different from the distance between the pair of left and right second treatment applicators 35R, 35L of the seat massage mechanism 4. Furthermore, the distance between the pair of left and right first treatment applicators 17R, 17L when they are farthest apart may be the same as or different from the distance between the pair of left and right second treatment applicators 36R, 36L of the seat massage mechanism 4.

[0061] In other words, the swing width of the first treatment element 17R, 17L and the swing width of the second treatment element 35R, 35L, or the swing width of the first treatment element 17R, 17L and the swing width of the second treatment element 36R, 36L may be the same, or one of them may have a larger swing width or a smaller swing width.

[0062] Furthermore, the swing speed of the first treatment element 17 of the back massage mechanism 5 and the swing speed of the second treatment elements 35, 36 of the seat massage mechanism 4 may be changed to be the same or different. For example, the swing speed of the back arm member 10 may be set to be faster than usual, and the swing speed of the seat arm member 27 may be set to be slower than usual.

[0063] The seat massage mechanism 4 of this embodiment is movable in the front-to-rear direction inside the seat 2 along the seat guide rails 44. The back massage mechanism 5 is movable in the up-and-down direction inside the backrest 3 along the back guide rails 23.

[0064] It is also possible to change the moving speed of the seat massage mechanism 4 and the back massage mechanism 5. The left and right distances between the pair of back arm members 10R, 10L and the pair of seat arm members 27R, 27L may be changeable.

[0065] In addition, the distance between the left and right first treatment members 17R, 17L, the swinging speed of the first treatment member 17 and the second treatment member 35, 36, the left and right spacing between the left and right back arm members 10R, 10L and the seat arm members 27R, 27L, etc. can be changed as appropriate.

[0066] The back massage mechanism 5 and the seat massage mechanism 4 may be configured to be switchable between the "first rocking motion" and the "second rocking motion." That is, the back massage mechanism 5 may be configured to perform the "second rocking motion," and the seat massage mechanism 4 may be configured to perform the "first rocking motion."

[0067] For example, the second treatment applicators 35, 36 of the pair of left and right seat arm members 27 may be made to perform a first swinging motion in which they move towards and away from each other in the left-right direction, and the first treatment applicators 17 of the pair of left and right back arm members 10 may be made to perform a second swinging motion in which they tilt so that they swing in the same left and right direction.

[0068] As described above, according to the chair-type massage machine 1 of the present invention, the seat massage mechanism 4 and the back massage mechanism 5 are linked together, making it possible to simultaneously receive different massage operations on separate treatment areas, such as the first treatment area from the shoulders to the back to the lower back, and the second treatment area from the thighs (back of the thighs) to the buttocks, thereby further improving the massage experience and providing a greater relaxation effect.

[0069] That is, in this embodiment, the desired massage action can be achieved by coordinating the swinging of the back arm member 10 of the back massage mechanism 5 toward and away from one another (first swinging movement) with the swinging of the seat arm member 27 of the seat massage mechanism 4 in the same direction to the left and right (second swinging movement), and the user feels as if they are receiving a massage in which each treatment area is being stretched and loosened at the same time.

[0070] Furthermore, by appropriately adjusting the forward and backward movement of the two massage mechanisms 4, 5, the left-right spacing between the arm members 10, 27, and the drive speed, an effective massage can be received.

[0071] The user can obtain further relaxation effects on two or more different treatment areas, for example, the back area from the shoulders to the back to the waist when leaning against the backrest portion 3, and the lower limbs such as the buttocks and thighs (back of the thighs) of the user when seated on the seat portion 2.

[0072] Next, the configurations of the back massage mechanism 5 and the seat massage mechanism 4 of this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0073] 1 and 2, the back massage mechanism 5 of this embodiment is capable of kneading massage and tapping massage. The back massage mechanism 5 has a first drive unit 8 that generates a rotational driving force, a first rotating shaft 9 that rotates by the rotational driving force, a back arm member 10 that performs a kneading massage on the back region (first treatment region) from the shoulders to the back to the lumbar region, and a first conversion unit 11 that is disposed on the first rotating shaft 9 and converts the rotational driving force into a rocking motion in the front-back and left-right directions and transmits it to the back arm member 10.

[0074] The first drive unit 8 is disposed on the base body 12 and rotates the rotary drive shaft 9. The first drive unit 8 has a drive motor 13 that outputs a rotary drive force, and a gear case 14 that adjusts the output rotary drive force to a predetermined speed.

[0075] The rotation direction, speed, etc. of the drive motor 13 can be controlled. The drive motor 13 is disposed above a gear case 14 provided on the base body 12. The drive motor 13 is a motor that can rotate forward and backward.

[0076] In this embodiment, the drive motor 13 has an output shaft that faces downward and outputs a rotational driving force. A worm gear is attached to the output shaft of the drive motor 13, and the worm gear meshes with a worm wheel attached to a transmission shaft. Although not shown, the transmission shaft is arranged behind the output shaft of the drive motor 13 and inside the gear case 14, with its axis facing left and right.

[0077] That is, the first drive unit 8 transmits the rotational drive force generated by the drive motor 13 to the first rotary shaft 9 after adjusting the speed with the gear case 14 .

[0078] The first rotating shaft 9 is disposed so that its axis is horizontal and faces the left-right direction, passing through a gear case 14 provided on the base body 12. The first rotating shaft 9 (kneading rotating shaft) also passes through the base end side of the back arm member 10. The first rotating shaft 9 is a long, round rod-shaped shaft member, and is supported by a support member 15 via a bearing so that its rotation direction can be freely switched.

[0079] The first rotating shaft 9 is disposed in front of the drive motor 13. The first rotating shaft 9 is disposed so as to be perpendicular to the axis of the output shaft of the drive motor 13. A worm wheel 16 is attached to the left side of the first rotating shaft 9 in the longitudinal direction. The worm wheel 16 is disposed in a gear case 14 and meshes with a worm gear attached to a transmission shaft. In other words, the rotational driving force is transmitted in the following order: output shaft of the drive motor 13, transmission shaft, and first rotating shaft 9.

[0080] 2, 4A, 4B, etc., the back arm members 10 perform a swinging motion to provide a kneading massage to the user's back (first treatment area) from the shoulders to the back to the lumbar region. A pair of back arm members 10 are provided on the left and right sides with a predetermined distance between them.

[0081] The back arm member 10 (massage arm member) is formed in an arm shape and is disposed so that its tip (front end) protrudes forward. A first treatment element 17 is attached to the tip (front end) of the back arm member 10 to apply a massage action to the user's back, from the shoulders to the back to the waist.

[0082] An annular fitting portion 20 that constitutes the first conversion portion 11 is provided at the base end (rear end) of the back arm member 10. In other words, the first rotation shaft 9 passes through the base end of the back arm member 10 in the left-right direction.

[0083] A right back arm member 10R is provided on the right side of the first rotating shaft 9. A first right treatment element 17R is attached to the tip (front end) of this right back arm member 10R, which performs kneading massage on the user's right back region from shoulder to back to waist.

[0084] A left back arm member 10L is provided on the left side of the first rotating shaft 9. A first left treatment element 17L is attached to the tip (front end) of this left back arm member 10L, which performs kneading massage on the user's left back region from shoulder to back to waist.

[0085] In other words, the distance between the left and right first treatment members 17R, 17L is such that the first right treatment member 17R can contact the user's back from the shoulder to the back to the waist on the right side, and the first left treatment member 17L can contact the user's back from the shoulder to the back to the waist on the left side.

[0086] The pair of left and right back arm members 10R, 10L swing back and forth and left and right (looping swinging movement in the left and right direction) so that the left and right first treatment members 17R, 17L can give an effective kneading massage from behind to the user's back from the shoulders to the back to the waist.

[0087] The left and right back arm members 10R, 10L are oscillated three-dimensionally up and down, front and back, and left and right by the first conversion units 11R, 11L, which will be referred to as "front and back, left and right movement" in this embodiment. The distance between the pair of left and right back arm members 10R, 10L (first treatment elements 17R, 17L) may be variable so that it can be adjusted to fit the shoulder width of the user, for example.

[0088] The first conversion unit 11 is provided on the base end side of the back arm member 10 and converts the rotational driving force of the first rotating shaft 9 into a front-to-back and left-to-right swinging motion, transmitting it as a kneading massage action. The first conversion unit 11 has a first rotating boss portion 18 that rotates integrally with the first rotating shaft 9, a first annular fitting portion 20 that is provided on the base end side of the back arm member 10 and fits onto the first rotating boss portion 18, and a first restricting portion 21 that restricts the back arm member 10 from rotating together with the first rotating shaft 9. A first right conversion unit 11R is provided on the base end side of the right back arm member 10R. Furthermore, a first left conversion unit 11L is provided on the base end side of the left back arm member 10L.

[0089] In this embodiment, the first rotation shaft 9 passes through the inside of the first rotation boss portion 18, and the outer circumferential surface has a cam surface 19 that is inclined relative to the first rotation shaft 9. The first rotation boss portion 18 (inclined boss portion) rotates at an incline with respect to the axis of the first rotation shaft 9. Note that the inclined cam surface 19 may be, for example, inclined and eccentric with respect to the first rotation shaft 9.

[0090] The first right rotation boss portion 18R is disposed on the right side of the first rotation shaft 9. The first left rotation boss portion 18L is disposed on the left side of the first rotation shaft 9. The inclination of the left and right first rotation boss portions 18R, 18L (inclined cam surfaces 19) is, for example, inclined in relative opposite directions between the pair of left and right back arm members 10R, 10L.

[0091] The first annular fitting portion 20 is formed on the base end side of the back arm member 10 and externally fits onto the first rotation boss portion 18 in a relatively rotatable state. In other words, the inner diameter of the first annular fitting portion 20 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the inclined cam surface 19 of the first rotation boss portion 18.

[0092] The first right annular fitting portion 20R externally fits the first right rotation boss portion 18R in a relatively rotatable manner. The first left annular fitting portion 20L externally fits the first left rotation boss portion 18L in a relatively rotatable manner. The left and right first annular fitting portions 20R, 20L are arranged so that the pair of left and right back arm members 10R, 10L are inclined in relatively opposite directions due to the inclination of the left and right first rotation boss portions 18R, 18L.

[0093] The first restricting portion 21 is provided on the first annular fitting portion 20 and restricts the first annular fitting portion 20 from rotating with respect to the first rotation boss portion 18. The first restricting portion 21 has a restricting pin provided on the first annular fitting portion 20 and a restricting groove into which the restricting pin slidably fits. A first right restricting portion 21R is provided on the first right annular fitting portion 20R. Furthermore, a first left restricting portion 21L is provided on the base end side of the first left annular fitting portion 20L.

[0094] The regulating portion 21 in this embodiment is a ball joint portion that regulates the back arm member 10 from rotating together with the first rotation axis 9 by fitting a spherical regulating pin freely into a spherical concave regulating groove.

[0095] As a result, the back arm member 10 swings due to the inclined rotation of the first rotation boss portion 18 onto which the first annular fitting portion 20 fits, and the restriction of the co-rotation by the first restriction portion 21. Also, because it is a ball joint portion, the back arm member 10 is constrained during a hitting massage, but has a certain degree of freedom and is still able to swing.

[0096] In addition, the back massage mechanism 5 may be provided with a switching unit that switches the phase of the forward / backward / left / right swinging motion performed by the pair of left and right back arm members 10R, 10L when the first rotating shaft 9 rotates forward or backward.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 2, the back massage mechanism 5 of this embodiment is equipped with a hitting drive unit 22 that hits the first treatment element 17 against the user's back, from the shoulders to the back to the lumbar region, at short time intervals, to perform a hitting massage on the back by the impact of the first treatment element 17.

[0098] The back massage mechanism 5 of this embodiment moves in the vertical direction (inclined direction) along a pair of left and right back guide rails 23 disposed inside the backrest 3 (support frame 7). The back guide rails 23 are rail members that are long in the vertical direction. The back guide rails 23 of this embodiment have a curved shape that bulges forward from the bottom end to the midpoint in the vertical direction.

[0099] The back guide rails 23 have a rack gear 23a and a rail groove 23b, and are provided in pairs on the left and right sides of the support frame 7. The rack gear 23a and the rail groove 23b are formed to face the same direction and be aligned along each other. The back massage mechanism 5 is also provided with a running gear 24a (pinion gear) that meshes with the rack gear 23a so as to be able to run, and a running roller 24b that fits movably into the rail groove 23b. Note that the configuration of the back guide rails 23 is an example and is not limited to this configuration.

[0100] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the seat massage mechanism 4 of this embodiment has a second drive unit 25 that generates a rotational drive force, a second rotation shaft 26 that rotates by the rotational drive force, a seat arm member 27 that performs a kneading massage on a second treatment area such as the buttocks or thighs (back of the thighs), and a second conversion unit 28 that is disposed on the second rotation shaft 26 and converts the rotational drive force into up / down / left / right rocking motion and transmits it to the seat arm member 27.

[0101] 3, the second drive unit 25 is disposed on a base 29 and rotates the second rotary shaft 26. The second drive unit 25 has a drive motor 30 that outputs a rotational drive force, and a gear case 31 that adjusts the output rotational drive force to a predetermined speed.

[0102] The drive motor 30 is a motor that can rotate forward and backward. The direction of rotation, speed, etc. of the drive motor 30 can be controlled. The drive motor 30 is disposed behind a gear case 31 that is provided on the base 29.

[0103] In this embodiment, the drive motor 30 has an output shaft 30a that outputs a rotational drive force and is disposed horizontally facing forward. A worm gear is attached to the output shaft 30a of the drive motor 30, and the worm gear meshes with a worm wheel attached to a transmission shaft. Although not shown, the transmission shaft is disposed below the output shaft 30a of the drive motor 30 and inside the gear case 31, with its axis facing left and right.

[0104] That is, the second drive unit 25 adjusts the speed of the rotational drive force generated by the drive motor 30 using the gear case 31 and transmits it to the second rotary shaft 26 .

[0105] The second rotation shaft 26 is disposed so that its axis is horizontal and faces the left-right direction, penetrating a gear case 31 provided on a base 29. The second rotation shaft 26 (seat rotation shaft) also penetrates the base end side of the seat arm member 27. The second rotation shaft 26 is a long, round rod-shaped shaft member, and is supported by a support member 33 via a bearing 32 so that its rotation direction can be freely switched.

[0106] The second rotating shaft 26 is disposed above the drive motor 30. The second rotating shaft 26 is disposed so as to be perpendicular to the axis of the output shaft 30a of the drive motor 30. A worm wheel 34 is attached to the right side of the second rotating shaft 26 in the longitudinal direction. The worm wheel 34 is disposed inside a gear case 31 and meshes with a worm gear attached to the transmission shaft. In other words, the rotational driving force is transmitted in the following order: output shaft 30a of the drive motor 30, transmission shaft, and second rotating shaft 26.

[0107] As shown in Figures 3 to 4B, the seat arm members 27 perform a rocking motion to massage the user's thighs (backs of the thighs), buttocks, etc., by pressing in from below to above. A pair of seat arm members 27 are provided on the left and right sides with a predetermined gap between them. The seat arm members 27 are formed in an arm shape and are provided along the front-to-back direction.

[0108] A second front treatment element 35 is attached to the front end of the seat arm member 27, which applies a massage to the buttocks, thighs (backs of the thighs), etc. On the other hand, a second rear treatment element 36 is attached to the rear end of the seat arm member 27, which applies a massage to the buttocks, thighs (backs of the thighs), etc.

[0109] In this embodiment, the middle portion of the seat arm member 27 in the longitudinal direction is set as the base end side, and a second annular fitting portion 39 constituting the second conversion portion 28 is provided on this base end side.

[0110] More specifically, a right seat arm member 27R is provided on the right side of the second rotation shaft 26. A second right front treatment element 35R is attached to the front end of this right seat arm member 27R, and is used to massage the user's right thigh (back of the thigh), buttocks, etc. Meanwhile, a second right rear treatment element 36R is attached to the rear end of the right seat arm member 27R, and is used to massage the user's right thigh (back of the thigh), buttocks, etc.

[0111] A left seat arm member 27L is provided on the left side of the second rotation shaft 26. A second left front treatment element 35L is attached to the front end of this left seat arm member 27L, which performs kneading massage on the user's left thigh (back of the thigh), buttocks, etc. Meanwhile, a second left rear treatment element 36L is attached to the rear end of the left seat arm member 27L, which performs kneading massage on the user's left thigh (back of the thigh), buttocks, etc.

[0112] In other words, the distance between the second treatment members 35, 36 is such that the second right treatment member 35R, 36R can contact the user's right buttocks or back of the thigh, for example, and the second left treatment member 35L, 36L can contact the user's left buttocks or back of the thigh, for example.

[0113] The left and right pair of seat arm members 27R, 27L swing up and down and left and right, allowing the left and right second treatment elements 35R, 35L, 36R, 36L to provide an effective kneading massage from below to the user's thighs (backs of the thighs), buttocks, etc.

[0114] The left and right seat arm members 27R, 27L are caused to swing three-dimensionally up and down, front and back, and left and right by the second conversion units 28R, 28L, which are referred to as "up and down, left and right movement" in this embodiment. The distance between the pair of left and right seat arm members 27R, 27L may be variable so that it can be adjusted to fit the position of the user's lower limbs, such as the thighs and buttocks.

[0115] The second conversion unit 28 is provided on the base end side of the seat arm member 27 and converts the rotational drive force of the second rotating shaft 26 into a rocking motion in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions, transmitting the motion as a kneading massage. The second conversion unit 28 has a second rotating boss 37 that rotates integrally with the second rotating shaft 26, a second annular fitting 39 that is provided on the base end side of the seat arm member 27 and fits onto the second rotating boss 37, and a second restricting unit 40 that restricts the seat arm member 27 from rotating together with the second rotating shaft 26. A second right conversion unit 28R is provided on the base end side of the right seat arm member 27R. A second left conversion unit 28L is provided on the base end side of the left seat arm member 27L.

[0116] In this embodiment, the second rotation shaft 26 passes through the inside of the second rotation boss portion 37, and the second rotation boss portion 37 has, on its outer circumferential surface, a cam surface 38 that is inclined relative to the second rotation shaft 26. The second rotation boss portion 37 (inclined boss portion) rotates at an incline relative to the axis of the second rotation shaft 26. Note that the inclined cam surface 38 may be, for example, inclined and eccentric relative to the second rotation shaft 26.

[0117] The second right rotation boss portion 37R is disposed on the right side of the second rotation shaft 26. The second left rotation boss portion 37L is disposed on the left side of the second rotation shaft 26. The inclination of the left and right second rotation boss portions 37R, 37L (inclined cam surfaces 38) is such that, for example, the inclinations of the left and right second rotation boss portions 37R, 37L are inclined in relatively opposite directions between the pair of left and right seat arm members 27R, 27L.

[0118] The second annular fitting portion 39 is formed on the base end side of the seat arm member 27, and externally fits the second rotation boss portion 37 in a relatively rotatable state. That is, the inner diameter of the second annular fitting portion 39 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the inclined cam surface 38 of the rotation boss portion 37.

[0119] The second right annular fitting portion 39R externally fits the second right rotation boss portion 37R in a relatively rotatable manner. The second left annular fitting portion 39L externally fits the second left rotation boss portion 37L in a relatively rotatable manner. The left and right second annular fitting portions 39R, 39L are arranged so that the inclination of the left and right second rotation boss portions 37R, 37L causes the pair of left and right seat arm members 27R, 27L to incline in relatively opposite directions.

[0120] The second restricting portion 40 is provided on the second annular fitting portion 39 and restricts the second annular fitting portion 39 from co-rotating with the second rotation boss portion 37. The second restricting portion 40 has a restricting pin 41 provided on the second annular fitting portion 39 and a restricting groove 42 into which the restricting pin 41 slidably fits. A second right restricting portion 40R is provided on the second right annular fitting portion 39R. Furthermore, a second left restricting portion 40L is provided on the base end side of the second left annular fitting portion 39L.

[0121] The restricting pin 41 in this embodiment protrudes forward and rearward from the base end of the second annular fitting portion 39. The restricting groove 42 in this embodiment is provided in the case body 43 at a position facing the restricting pin 41. As a result, the seat arm member 27 swings due to the tilting rotation of the second rotation boss portion 37 onto which the second annular fitting portion 39 is fitted and the restriction of the co-rotation by the restricting portion 40.

[0122] In addition, the seat massage mechanism 4 may be provided with a switching unit that switches the phase of the up / down / left / right rocking motion performed by the pair of left and right seat arm members 27R, 27L when the second rotating shaft 26 rotates forward or backward.

[0123] The seat massaging mechanism 4 of this embodiment moves in the front-rear direction along a pair of left and right seat guide rails 44 disposed inside the seat 2 (legs 6). The back guide rails 27 are rail members that are long in the front-rear direction.

[0124] The seat guide rail 44 in this embodiment has a curved shape with the rear end bulging downward, allowing the seat massage mechanism 4 to be housed inside the leg body 6. Note that the seat guide rail 44 may also be a straight rail member.

[0125] The seat guide rails 44 have a rack gear and a rail groove, and are provided in pairs on the left and right sides of the legs 6. The seat massage mechanism 4 is also provided with a running gear 45a (pinion gear) that meshes with the rack gear so as to be able to run, and a running roller 45b that fits movably into the rail groove. Note that the configuration of the seat guide rails 44 is an example, and is not limited to this configuration.

[0126] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. In particular, matters not explicitly stated in the embodiments disclosed herein, such as operating conditions, operation conditions, dimensions and weights of components, etc., do not deviate from the scope of ordinary practice by a person skilled in the art, and are matters that can be easily assumed by a person skilled in the art.

[0127] For example, the configuration of the back massage mechanism 5, such as the length of the back arm member 10, the inclination angle of the back arm member 10 (the inclined cam surface 19 of the first rotating boss portion 18) relative to the rotating drive shaft 9, the distance between the pair of back arm members 10 on the left and right, and the number of first treatment elements 17, can be changed as appropriate in consideration of the treatment range.

[0128] Similarly, the configuration of the seat massage mechanism 4, such as the length of the seat arm member 27, the inclination angle of the seat arm member 27 (the inclined cam surface 38 of the second rotation boss portion 37) relative to the second rotation shaft 26, the distance between the pair of seat arm members 27 on the left and right, and the number of second treatment elements 35, 36, can be changed as appropriate in consideration of the treatment range.

[0129] Furthermore, the kneading massage performed by the back massage mechanism 5 and the kneading massage performed by the seat massage mechanism 4 (such as the amplitude, timing, and speed of the approaching and separating movements and the swinging in the same direction to the left and right) are not limited to the combination of linked movements given as an example in this embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate in consideration of the condition of the treatment area (such as the area to be treated and the degree of stiffness in that area).

[0130] The basic device configurations of the back massage mechanism 5, seat massage mechanism 4, etc. described in this embodiment are merely examples, and various device configurations can be adopted.

[0131] Furthermore, with regard to the configuration for operating the seat massage mechanism 4 and the back massage mechanism 5 in conjunction with each other as detailed above, for example, a plurality of operations may be programmed as an automatic massage course, and the user may freely select and instruct the course using an operation terminal (remote control) or the like provided on the chair-type massage machine 1. Furthermore, the chair-type massage machine 1 of the present invention may be configured to be operated, for example, through a portable electronic information terminal (e.g., a smartphone) owned by the user.

[0132] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Chair-type massage machine 2 Seat 3 Backrest 4 Seat massage mechanism 5 Back massage mechanism 8 First drive unit 9 First rotating shaft 10 Back arm member 11 First conversion unit 17 First treatment element 18 First rotating boss 19 Inclined cam surface 20 First annular fitting portion 25 Second drive unit 26 Second rotating shaft 27 Seat arm member 28 Second conversion unit 35 Second front treatment element 36 Second rear treatment element 37 Second rotating boss 38 Inclined cam surface 39 Second annular fitting portion

Claims

1. A chair-type massage machine having a seat, a backrest, a back massage mechanism having a pair of left and right back arm members with first treatment elements at their tips and which applies a massage action to the back of a user, and a seat massage mechanism having a pair of left and right seat arm members with second treatment elements at their tips and which applies a massage action to the buttocks or thighs of the user, wherein the back massage mechanism performs a first rocking motion in which the pair of left and right first treatment elements mounted on the back arm members move towards and away from each other in the left-right direction, and the seat massage mechanism performs a second rocking motion in which the pair of left and right second treatment elements mounted on the seat arm members tilt so as to rock in the same left and right direction.

2. The chair-type massage machine described in claim 1, characterized in that the seat massage mechanism has a rotating shaft that transmits the rotational driving force from the drive motor, a disk-shaped rotating boss portion attached to the rotating shaft, an endless and inclined cam surface formed on the periphery of the rotating boss portion, and an annular fitting portion provided at the base end of the seat arm member and externally fitted onto the cam surface so as to be able to slide freely, the rotating boss portions are provided in a pair on the left and right sides with a predetermined distance between them along the rotating shaft, and the inclination directions of the cam surfaces of the pair of rotating boss portions provided on the left and right sides are inclined in the same direction.

3. The chair-type massage machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the rotating boss portion, in which the inclination directions of the cam surfaces are in the same direction, rotates, a second rocking motion is generated in which the second treatment element tilts so as to rock left and right in the same direction.

4. The chair-type massage machine according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the swing distance of the first massage head of the back massage mechanism and the swing distance of the second massage head of the seat massage mechanism are the same or different.

5. A chair-type massage machine as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the distance between the pair of first treatment heads on the left and right of the back massage mechanism when they are closest to each other is the same as or different from the distance between the pair of second treatment heads on the left and right of the seat massage mechanism.

6. The chair-type massage machine according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the distance between the pair of first massagers on the left and right sides of the back massage mechanism when they are farthest apart is the same as or different from the distance between the pair of second massagers on the left and right sides of the seat massage mechanism.

7. The chair-type massage machine according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the rocking speed of the first massage head of the back massage mechanism and the rocking speed of the second massage head of the seat massage mechanism are the same or different.

8. The chair-type massage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the back massage mechanism and / or the seat massage mechanism are configured to be freely switchable between a first rocking motion and a second rocking motion.

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